In the midst of a recent project, I wrote a lengthy progress update by email. My aim was to write up a comprehensive update on all aspects of the project, so that everybody had the same information.

I spent ages crafting the email, and copied everyone on the project team. I included bullet points to make it easy for them to read. I'd covered all bases.

Or so I thought...

Unfortunately, this approach frustrated one of my colleagues. During a particularly busy week, he didn't have time to wade through long emails. Especially ones where he's just cc'd. The wordy email did not clearly explain to him what his actions were, if any. After being confronted with a wall of text, he ignored the email completely.

Another colleague much prefers oral communication over reading emails. She rarely checks emails more than once or twice during a work day. She called me at home to chat about how the project is going. This frustrated me because in my mind, I'd already given her all the updates she needed. Why waste my time asking me all the same questions! Is she just too lazy to read my email?!

It's easy to see how, from my perspective, I did the best for everybody. But it had the opposite effect to what I intended. I did not consider my team's communication preferences.

The next time you're working with a new colleague or client, ask - how would you prefer that we communicate during our time working together? Brief daily phone calls, a status sheet, or by email?

It could make all the difference to creating a successful working relationship.